Ian Henry
Member
This year is an important milestone for a few franchises that are dear to me. Coincidentally, they're both 1st Person shooters. Guerilla Games Killzone was first released on the PS2 back in 2004. The series dealt with the galactic war between the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance and the Helghast empire. Although the first game was mediocre, Killzone 2(2009) on the PS3, proved to redefine everything that was missing in the 1st game. The visuals were impressive, action-enticing multiplayer (dynamic warzones :hhh
, decent narrative (although underdeveloped a bit), and we can't forget about that intuitive gunplay . The weapons had such weight, heavier feel: made it more satisfying.
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The game opting for a more darker tone palette: gritty and oppressive, was an excellent creative choice. Killzone 2, became a template, that the series would follow and be remembered for. Even other FPS shooters afterwards took inspiration for it's design. Unfortunately, the heights that were raised, weren't truly followed by the series. As mentioned earlier, the series had a problem with narrative. Although, the concept of the political intrigue between two factions was dope. The games did not do it justice and had us focus on weak ass characters(Boring ass Jan Templar and fuck Rico)
It sucks cause Killzone has a really cool, unique world. It would've definitely benefit with an engaging narrative, something that this other FPS title did insanely well.
Machine Games Wolfenstein: The New Order(2014), was a title that definitely matched the energy that Killzone 2 five years prior. The gameplay was diverse: you could swim, take cover, use direct combat, and even dual wield. Albeit, TNO was fast paced and fluid. And you weren't just fighting soldiers, the games had you fighting abominations, robot, and mechanized dogs . Plus, the character development of BJ Blacowicz and other characters was amazing, impactful. You could tell that the crew had deep hatred and damn good reasons to take down the Nazi's.
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This scene is an example of Wolfenstein: The New Saga approach. There is an effective balance between gameplay and narrative. It lets you feel but it doesn't take you out of the immersion. It's dark but it still has moments of pulp and humor as it takes you through an altered history of the 1960s: where the Nazi's have succeeded taking over globally.
, decent narrative (although underdeveloped a bit), and we can't forget about that intuitive gunplay . The weapons had such weight, heavier feel: made it more satisfying.!
The game opting for a more darker tone palette: gritty and oppressive, was an excellent creative choice. Killzone 2, became a template, that the series would follow and be remembered for. Even other FPS shooters afterwards took inspiration for it's design. Unfortunately, the heights that were raised, weren't truly followed by the series. As mentioned earlier, the series had a problem with narrative. Although, the concept of the political intrigue between two factions was dope. The games did not do it justice and had us focus on weak ass characters(Boring ass Jan Templar and fuck Rico)
It sucks cause Killzone has a really cool, unique world. It would've definitely benefit with an engaging narrative, something that this other FPS title did insanely well.
Machine Games Wolfenstein: The New Order(2014), was a title that definitely matched the energy that Killzone 2 five years prior. The gameplay was diverse: you could swim, take cover, use direct combat, and even dual wield. Albeit, TNO was fast paced and fluid. And you weren't just fighting soldiers, the games had you fighting abominations, robot, and mechanized dogs . Plus, the character development of BJ Blacowicz and other characters was amazing, impactful. You could tell that the crew had deep hatred and damn good reasons to take down the Nazi's.
!
This scene is an example of Wolfenstein: The New Saga approach. There is an effective balance between gameplay and narrative. It lets you feel but it doesn't take you out of the immersion. It's dark but it still has moments of pulp and humor as it takes you through an altered history of the 1960s: where the Nazi's have succeeded taking over globally.
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